Give Thanks 11-23-05

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I sing to You this song of praise: "Give thanks with a grateful heart; give thanks to the Holy One; give thanks, because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son...." "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit" (1 Thessalonians 5:17-19). There is an attitude that welcomes the Spirit and an attitude that quenches the Spirit. In one our eyes are fixed on You, and in the other our eyes are fixed on our circumstances. We have a choice to give thanks to You through the hardest of times or grumble and complain through even the best of times. Hard times reveal our true heart. Will we trust You and thank You that You are with us no matter what, or will we ignore You or even curse You as we are swallowed up in self pity and self focus? This call to be thankful in all circumstances is not a call to embrace evil or tragedy, sickness or pain. It is a call to embrace You as we are confronted by these struggles, trusting that You are with us and You will help us, as You bring us through, holding tight to Your hand and fixing our eyes on Your face. Though You do not cause or will all the evil and tragedy we face in this broken, fallen world in rebellion to Your will, You do use it all to draw us to You, as we persevere in humility and faith through prayer. You don't waste a moment of our sufferings, but use it all as grist in the mill to change our hearts and make us more like You. Forgive me Lord, when I cease to give You thanks in all circumstances. Forgive me when I forget that these are commands and not options, when You tell me to "rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances." You command it because You know the power of a thankful heart and a praying spirit that rejoices in You no matter what. That's how You make me victorious and not my circumstances. That's how I become a conqueror instead of a victim, a worshipper instead of a complainer. That's how I become more like You each day. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe, or to order my teaching dvd's on healing and wholeness, please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord." Our address is 2800 Tates Creek Rd.; Lexington, Kentucky 40502. Come to The Fountain the 3rd Saturday night of every month at 7 pm for our citywide gathering for prayer and worship in the chapel. Daily archives: www.morningbymorning.injesus.com